Internal security situation of country stable: report

New Delhi, April 21 (IANS) India’s overall internal security remains stable with a fall in terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir and other insurgency affected areas of northeastern states, says a government report. The report called “Status Paper on Internal Security Situation” of the ministry of home affairs, circulated among the Lok Sabha members Monday, said that 151 terror incidents took place in Jammu and Kashmir as of March 31, 2008 against 211 during the previous year.

Cutting across the political lines, the Lok Sabha members called for strict measures to ensure stability internal security front. The MPs asked for strengthening of the police forces and adequate assistance to the states in improving their intelligence gathering capabilities.

In the northeastern region, 414 violent incidents took place, killing 131 civilians as against 424 incidents in 2007 when 148 civilians were killed. As of March 31, 2008, 171 terrorists were killed against 114 during the corresponding period in 2007.

“The main challenge to the internal security and law and order situation centres around terrorist violence in Jammu and Kashmir, northeast and naxal affected areas and communal violence,” the report says.

“The situation in Jammu and Kashmir continues to show a definite improvement, while the overall security situation in Assam and Manipur remains an area of concern. The counter insurgency operations have been stepped up resulting in increased arrests, surrender and killings of extremists.”

Regarding the trends in Maoist violence, the report says there were 358 incidents till March 31, 2008 as against 403 during the same period last year.

Eighty-nine civilians and 74 Maoists were killed while 119 civilians and 53 rebels were killed last year.

“In 2007, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand together accounted for 68 percent of the total incidents and 76 percent of the total casualties,” the report says.

“The states should further improve the police response and pursue effective and sustained police action against Maoists individually and jointly.”

The report reiterates the government’s commitment to “deal strongly with Maoists indulging in crime and violence.”